Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year, a time for family, friends, love and laughter, but without sounding too much like the Grinch, it can also be the most wasteful. Time for some shocking figures. - Six million Christmas trees are discarded every year, and that's just the start. Some 2 million turkeys, 74 million mince pies and 17.2 million Brussel sprouts are thrown away every Christmas and let's not get started on the plastic. But we still want to enjoy this glorious festive season - Guilt free! So how can we be eco-friendly and still join in on the festivities you ask? Let us give you some tips. With these small changes, we can reduce our impact on the planet we call home whilst still having a wonderful Christmas!

7 Way To Make Your Christmas More Eco-Friendly

1. The Christmas Tree

To buy a real or plastic Christmas tree is an ongoing debate. Is it kinder on the environment to use a real tree and avoid the plastic waste? Or is a plastic tree that you'll reuse for years to come actually better? The jury's still out on this one. In truth, there's no single solution and there's no right way to be "sustainable". Whether you opt for a real tree or a fake one, there are steps you can take to do it in a more eco-friendly way!

If you're opting for a real Christmas, look out for FSC certification, as this will confirm that your tree has been sourced responsibly. Consider buying a tree that comes planted in a pot, after the festive period these trees can be placed in the garden and brought inside every year for all your Christmasses to come! If your tree's not in a pot be sure to dispose of it responsibly. Check what collection and recycling services are available where you live. Alternatively, if you have a compost bin or heap, then you can break up your tree and add it to the compost.

If an artificial tree is a path you want to go down, then a really good option is to invest in a great quality Christmas Tree that will last you for many years.  Look at ways of keeping them for future Christmases so they don’t end up in landfill where they can take centuries to decompose. If you've got a smaller budget lookout for second hand Christmas trees on eBay or in charity shops, not only is this a really affordable option but it reduces our need for new, raw materials AND helps keep pre-loved trees out of landfill.

2. The Decorations

The same ethos above applies to the decorations, opt for baubles and other decorations that will last you for years to come! When shopping around for decorations this year, think – what is going to last? Wouldn't it be lovely to be able to pass decorations down the family tree for years to come? Opt for decorations that are timeless, they could minimal or more traditional, but you want something that isn't going to date over time.

Look out for decorations made of natural materials such as wood, wool or paper. Once your decorations come to the end of their life these materials will easily break down and compost (as opposed to plastic decorations!). Felt So Good are super cute handmade felt decorations that are completely compostable! We love to see it.

The other option is to make your own Christmas decorations! Because who doesn't love a little Christmas Craft? You'll be surprised at the amazing decorations you can with a piece of paper, some scissors and a glue stick. Another way to go is it keep it completely natural. Forage a few pine cones, pick some Instagram worthy twigs and dry out a few orange slices... and voila!

Top Tip : Store your decorations neatly in an airtight box throughout the year to keep them looking as good as new every single year.

3. Shop Local

Shopping local is a great way to have a more eco-friendly Christmas. This applies to food as well as gifts. Buying seasonal produce from local sources is a great way to reduce the impact of your Christmas food shop. We think it's super fun too! A trip to a farmer's market or local farm shop is a hella fun day out if you ask us. Think about getting your mince pies from a local baker, they're definitely tastier!

Supporting local, independent businesses is also a great way to support your local community as your money will go directly back into the place you call home.

4. Reduce Food Waste

Food waste is a big issue at the best of times but it gets even worse at Christmas. In the UK we waste 5 million Christmas puddings, 2 million turkeys, and 74 million mince pies each year. Not to mention huge amounts of snacks, fruit and vegetables. It's easily done, 'tis the season for overindulging after all but reducing food waste is really great way to have a more eco-friendly Christmas.

Planning your meals out for the festive period is an easy way to reduce food waste, buy what you know you're going to need and avoid loads of unnecessary snacks! Added bonus- - this also makes the Christmas food stop a bit less stressful. There are also tons of great recipes out there for ways to use up your leftover food at Christmas. Sure you can make the traditional turkey curry, but there are so many other great recipes to try too! Head to Pinterest, our favourite place for inspiration, and search Christmas Leftover Recipes, you won't regret it!

5. Eco-Friendly Gifting

We think the best way to make your Christmas gift-giving more eco-friendly is to give gifts people treasure for years to come. With a little extra thought, this isn't as hard as it sounds. Start planning your gifting early by brainstorming all their favourite things. This should give you a big old list of ideas - a great place to start when looking for a gift they will get lots of use out of!

We've got some wonderful gift selections curated for different hobbies and interests. Is your loved one a super proud plant parent? Check out our Gifts for Plant Lovers selection. Really into cooking? We've got a wonderful range ofRecipe Books.

Of course, you don't have to give things at all. Presents like tickets to a gig or a voucher for a massage are really thoughtful, zero waste gifts!

6. Invest in a Reusable Advent Calendar

Advent calendars are a big part of the build-up to Christmas, however, do we ever stop to think about what happens to them come December 25th? Having an eco-friendly Christmas doesn't mean having to sacrifice this tradition, but instead allows us to pave a new one!

With a reusable advent calendar, you can use it, again and again, every year and maybe plant your own chocolates in it if you have a bit of a sweet tooth! Not only do they make small changes towards sustainability, but they make gorgeously festive decorations.

See our Pop and Slot Advent calendars here

7. Low Waste Gift Wrapping

Gift wrap is the cause of huge amounts of waste at Christmas. If you think about that big bag full of plastic gift wrap you have every year...and then times that by every house in the country...that's a scary amount of rubbish! Luckily there are ways to still wrap your gifts beautifully but in a more eco-friendly way.

First off, avoid the gift wrap that has that shiny plastic layer - this stuff is much harder to recycle. Opt for recyclable (or compostable) gift wrap and plastic-free tape! Use natural materials like string, orange slices and pine twigs to add a little decorative flair. Other options are to make the wrap a part of the gift, for example, we love using a Hay Colour Crate in place of a gift hamper!

If your getting a Christmas Card to go with that gift go for one that comes without a cellophane wrap. Our range of plastic-free Christmas cards is growing every year, it's definitely the future!

Time for more? A Christmas Gift For Everyone | Secret Santa Ideas |How to Stay Hydrated